The Nernst equation is a way to calculate the voltage of an electrochemical cell when the concentrations of the chemicals involved are not at standard conditions.
Under standard conditions, we know the voltage a cell should have, but in real-life situations, the amounts of reactants and products can vary. The Nernst equation adjusts the voltage based on these actual concentrations.
It essentially says:
- If the amount of product increases, the voltage of the cell decreases.
- If the amount of reactant increases, the voltage of the cell increases.
- When the concentrations of reactants and products are equal to standard conditions, the voltage is the standard voltage.
This equation is important for understanding how batteries, biological systems, and corrosion behave under real conditions, where the chemical concentrations are not ideal.
It helps predict how changes in the chemical environment affect the ability of a cell to produce electricity.